Even at the ages of 35 and 33, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are still widely regarded as the world’s two best footballers.This has been the case for well over a decade now, which speaks volumes for both players’ remarkable longevity and professionalism.Both superstars, who possess 11 Ballon d’Or awards between them, produced moments of magic on Tuesday night.Ronaldo banged in a rocket for Juventus in their 3-1 away win over Genoa.Messi, meanwhile, scored his 700th career goal with a cheeky Panenka. He also produced a magnificent skill to beat Atletico Madrid left-back Renan Lodi.

When Piers Morgan, the outspoken broadcaster who hosts Good Morning Britain, saw Ronaldo’s latest goal, he saw this as a perfect opportunity to big up his idol and knockdown Messi.

“BOOOM!” he tweeted. “This is why @Cristiano is the GOAT. Messi can’t do this.”

Really, Piers?

It’s no secret that Morgan is a massive fan of Ronaldo’s - even though back in 2012 he declared on the same platform that Messi was the GOAT - after interviewing the Portuguese icon in 2019.

p1ec5aelskm8jqrf1c7i18u91q76b.jpg

But was there any need to berate Messi?

Gary Lineker, one of Messi’s biggest supporters, reacted by posting a YouTube video titled ‘Is Messi Weak ?! ● Can Not Score Powerful Screamers ?! ● Then What Are THESE ?! ||HD||’

p1ec5bks8c1pk6r1i0i4l0goe9.jpg

It proves that Messi can certainly leather a football when required.

Lineker accompanied the link with the message: “Fabulous goal, breathtaking footballer, but you really should start watching football before making silly statements.”

Cesc Fabregas, one of Messi’s closest friends in football, simply replied to Piers’ tweet with a laughing emoji.

p1ec5ac878jph9rp70e17lf1f3g9.jpg

Jay Bothroyd, the one-time England international, also reacted: “@piersmorgan just shut up!! You ain’t got a clue about football.”

Lineker also reminded Piers about that aforementioned 2012 tweet, which looks rather awkward now.

“Hope @Cristiano doesn’t know you have spoken, @piersmorgan,” Lineker added, deliberately tagging Ronaldo in.

Lineker also saw a separate tweet go viral, reminding football fans to enjoy both players if they can.

“Message to Ronaldo fans: When I tweet about the brilliance of Messi, it doesn’t mean I don’t admire Ronaldo,” the Match of the Day host wrote. “Message to Messi fans: When I tweet about Ronaldo, it doesn’t mean I don’t admire Messi. It’s possible to love both of these super human footballers. Enjoy them both. 👍🏻”

Well said, Gary.